Chiksa Revisited
by Laurel Leigh
AKA CLP
(Part Six of the Chiksa Chronicles)
With many thanks to Skazitelnitsy for the original story
PART TWO
"I'm afraid it's no use, Captain," Toljac apologized. "Either they can't hear me, or they refuse to listen to reason."
"You're aware charges will be filed, Mr. Ambassador," Kirk growled. "And if my officer has been harmed, there will be no quarter given your treaty negotiations."
A sound came from the helm that could have been a choked-off sob.
"What can I do, Captain?" Toljac answered. "Clearly my choice of aides was a poor one, but..."
"Captain, you don't know what they'll do to him!" Sulu burst out.
"Hikaru, don't..." Uhura began.
"That son of a bitch Vargik wanted to rape him!" Sulu went on heedlessly. "He threatened to kill me if Chekov didn't comply!"
Spock uncharacteristically stepped down to the distraught helmsman. "If that is the case, Lieutenant, then at least he will live."
"Mr. Spock!?!" Sulu gasped.
"I know how difficult it will be for him - and for you - but we must think of the most likely course that will remedy the harm done, since we cannot prevent it."
"Sexual contact between two males is not considered unusual in our culture, Captain," Toljac put in. "I'm certain your officer must have given Vargik some indication that such - advances - would not be - shall we say, unwelcome?"
Sulu was up and at the communications station before the Mergonian had finished speaking, his hands at the ambassador's throat.
"He was a virgin, you bastard!" he hissed. "He never...!"
Kirk quickly stepped in, pulling the helmsman away.
"But that was not the case before you were released from our custody, was it, Lieutenant?" Toljac remarked, apparently casually, though his hand went to his neck.
Uhura's soft "Oh shit" was clearly audible.
"Mr. Sulu?" Kirk asked sternly.
Sulu sat down heavily onto the steps of the Bridge, his head dropping into his hands.
"Perhaps there is more to the story than you've been told, hmm, Captain?" Toljac said.
Kirk glared at him, then motioned to the security men that had followed them onto the Bridge. "Escort this - person - to his quarters and make sure he stays there. Uhura keep trying to contact the shuttle, and set a fire under those repair crews. Spock, Lieutenant Sulu, come to my office."
There were murmurs of affirmatives from everyone but Sulu. He stayed where he was until Spock gently grasped him arm, helping him to stand. The hopelessness that covered his features was heart-wrenchingly painful, and the First Officer murmured what small words of comfort he had as he walked with the helmsman to the lift - and to Kirk's office.
=====*****=====
"All right, let's have it," the Captain said as Spock and Sulu stepped into his office.
"It's true," Sulu murmured tonelessly.
"What's true, Lieutenant?" Kirk barked.
"I... we... after Vargik threatened me, he... Chekov..." Sulu glanced desperately at his captain. "He was going to do it. He was going to give the bastard what he wanted. But he wanted to - to find a way that would - ease..."
"He wanted not to be virginal when it happened," Spock put in gently.
Sulu swallowed, glancing gratefully at the First Officer. "Yes," he admitted softly.
"And you obliged him," Kirk said sternly.
The helmsman grimaced. "What else was I supposed to do? It was a survival situation, I was his superior, it was my responsibility to..."
"To protect him, Mister!" the captain snapped.
"That's what I was trying to do, sir," Sulu offered. "It was his choice..."
"Now why do I doubt that, Lieutenant Sulu?"
Sulu blinked. "Sir?"
"You've both been very discreet, but I know you've been lovers since you returned from the detention camp, and I know what kind of lovers you've been..."
"Captain, there are extenuating circumstances," Spock broke in.
"Well, Mr. Spock, why don't you tell me what you know that I don't?" Kirk almost sneered.
"He's right, it's all my fault," Sulu whispered.
"Now is not the time for unproductive and maudlin guilt, Mr. Sulu," Spock told him. "Your association with Ensign Chekov is a mutually consenting one. We can pass no judgment on it." He turned to the captain. "Sir, Chekov and Mr. Sulu have dealt with the aftermath of their decision. That it was done with all good intent is not something that is in question. They found themselves in untenable circumstances, with no way of knowing when or if they would be released. If this Vargik man was truly set on this offensive course of action, that the Ensign sought to mitigate any possible damages from it can only be commended. That Mr. Sulu agreed to that attempt is likewise laudable. It has no bearing on the current situation, other than the thwarting of the Mergonian's initial desires - for which neither of our officers can be held accountable."
"Thank you, Mr. Spock," Sulu managed quietly, and the Vulcan nodded.
Kirk's hands were on his hips, his face set in a deep frown. "So you - had intercourse - with Chekov to prevent him from being hurt unnecessarily in this expected encounter," he said tersely.
"Yes, sir," Sulu answered.
"And?"
"And, sir?"
"Did it work?"
"Uh - we were rescued the next afternoon, sir," Sulu admitted. "But Vargik had said that morning that he didn't want - uh - leftovers." He stared at the deck. "Sir."
"That's apparently not causing him any difficulties now, Mister," Kirk pointed out.
"Unless he just wants to hurt Chekov for the insult," Sulu mumbled.
"But you think that unlikely," Spock prompted.
Sulu glanced at him. "Yes, sir. Yes, I do."
Kirk let out a sigh, and dropped into the chair behind his desk. "Jesus Christ..." he muttered. "You realize, Lieutenant, that if you had told us all of this before the Mergonian delegation came on board..."
"Chekov didn't want anyone to know," Sulu returned softly.
"He is a proud young man, Captain," Spock observed.
"Yes. Too proud. And he's probably paying for it now in ways none of us want to think about."
Sulu shuddered, and Spock placed an unexpected hand on his shoulder.
"Well," Kirk continued, straightening. "We've got to get him out of there." He thumbed the intercom on the desk. "Engineering, how are those repairs coming?"
"Transporters ready in about ten minutes, Captain," came the reply. "The tractor beam will take a little while longer."
"The transporters are the important system right now," Kirk said. "I'll be in the transporter room in five minutes, and I expect there to be full power when I get there."
They all heard the gulp on the other end. "Yes, sir."
Kirk rose again, redirecting the communications relay as he did so. "Uhura, have Dr. McCoy meet us in the transporter room." He paused. "And tell him to bring his couch."
=====*****=====
Chekov sobbed, very grateful that he hadn't eaten dinner - then immediately revised the thought, certain that his vomiting all over the bastards would have an inhibiting effect on their desires. Vargik had given disgustedly colorful commentary on the feel of his body - so much more horrible than Sulu's sensual, crooning remarks when they made love. That it was a small validation of his own insistence that it was Sulu and not submission he craved did nothing to ease the vileness of the violation. He felt cruelly distended, sickeningly vulnerable, and there was nothing he could do to keep Klinot from inflicting it all again. He only became aware that there were tears wetting his face when Vargik mock-tenderly wiped them away.
"Poor little chiksa," the Mergonian murmured obdurately. "More than you're used to? Your plaything is a runt all over? No wonder you're so - open - to the feel of a real man."
"Hold him, Vargik," Klinot rumbled as he took his place behind the Russian. "I don't want him thrashing around like he did with you."
"Oh, he'll settle down soon enough," Vargik promised. "In fact, it's just about time for our other guest to show up."
"Good," the other growled. "Let him see me fucking his little princess when he does."
Vargik chuckled and Chekov blanched in renewed panic. He doesn't mean... he can't mean...!
Then he cried out as he was again penetrated, hearing the high-pitched whine of a transporter beam.
"Well, hello there, runt," Vargik said, and Chekov screamed.
=====*****=====
"Transporters show ready, Captain," Chief Kyle said as Kirk, Spock and Sulu walked into the transporter room..
"Good. Lock them onto the shuttle and beam whoever is in there aboard," Kirk responded. "Now."
Kyle worked the controls as Sulu took several steps toward the pads. When nothing happened, he turned to Kyle, who was frowning in frustration.
"I don't know why it's not working, sir," the tall Englishman said.
Spock moved him aside. "Allow me, Mr. Kyle," he began.
Then there was the familiar whine of the machinery, and a gasp from Sulu. Kirk whirled just as Spock looked up to see an unregulated transporter beam dematerializing the lieutenant. It was followed by popping and smoke from the transporter controls as Spock and Kyle moved hurriedly back.
"Damn," the captain swore.
=====*****=====
"Pasha!" Sulu screamed and lunged toward the Mergonian who was thrusting into his lover. He was stopped as Vargik charged, the muscled arms closing around him, lifting him from the deck of the shuttle. He elbowed the larger man in the ribs, getting enough freedom of movement to squirm out of the hold. He dropped to the deck, then back-head-butted the bastard's naked, unprotected genitals, scrambling up to leap onto the back of the other Mergonian, tearing him away from Chekov's bound body.
"You'll pay for that, runt!" Vargik grunted, and Sulu found himself pinned to the deck by the man he'd just interrupted.
"Get over here and hold him!" the Mergonian wheezed. "I still want my turn!"
"No!" Sulu exploded and was stunned by a vicious blow to his skull. His vision swimming, he saw Vargik approaching him and felt himself being pulled away from the other aide and Chekov by his ankle. The Mergonian again held him, forcing his arms behind his back.
"Watch, little one," he hissed. "Watch how real men do it."
=====*****=====
"If you don't want your friend there to end up with a broken neck," Klinot murmured into Chekov's ear, "you'll stop struggling and give me some good sport."
"Pasha, don't -- !" Sulu's voice was cut off and Vargik called, "I'll do it, chiksa!"
Shaking somewhere between terror and rage, the Russian made himself go completely still. Air was hissed in between his teeth as he bore the harsh thrusts. His shoulders were aching, the pain of the assault rushing along his veins with every thundering beat of his heart. He started counting the seconds, waiting for the second rush of fluid into his body. Klinot's fingers bruised his hips as he pulled him back into the penetration, and when he exhaled loudly with his climax, Chekov found tears again streaming from his eyes. The Mergonian left him and he fell sideways, his legs curling up automatically. He could hear Sulu's desperate sobs, then the lieutenant was suddenly beside him, pulling his head up into his arms.
"Pasha, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..." he choked and bent his head, his tears mingling with the Russian's own.
"Now isn't that sweet?" Vargik mocked. "Do you suppose the chiksa feels as much devotion as his owner?"
Klinot's only response was a snort of derision.
"He's not as pretty, I'll grant you," Vargik continued, "but he is more attractive now that he's cleaned up a little."
At that, Chekov struggled to get to his knees, pushing against Sulu's arms to do so. "Don't touch him," he warned, his voice ragged but ice cold.
"And what do you propose to do to stop me, hmm, chiksa?"
The navigator drew a deep breath. "Whatever I have to," he said evenly.
"No, Pavel. I'm not gonna let you..." Sulu began.
"He doesn't want you," the Russian said. "He'll only hurt you to coerce me." Brown eyes blazed at the Mergonian. "Isn't that right, svoloch'."
"Pretty and perceptive," Vargik chuckled.
"So I will do what I must."
Sulu rose, standing in front of him. "No. I told you before, it wouldn't be as bad for me. I've had his kind before." He glared at the Mergonian. "Take what you want from me," he said. "Or is a real man like you afraid to try it with someone who's had some experience?"
"So you're a Federation whore?" Vargik taunted.
"I've had my share," the lieutenant admitted defiantly. "Come on, big man, see if you can handle what I've got to give."
Vargik chuckled again, but there was a touch of uncertainty about it. "You're not my type, remember?"
"Or maybe you just can't get it up for someone who knows what he's doing?" Sulu returned with a sneer.
Vargik growled threateningly, but the helmsman stood his ground. "No takers?" he asked. His gaze moved to Klinot. "Neither of you?" He laughed disdainfully. "Well, you know what we've got here, don't you, Pav?" He deliberately turned his back and bent down, beginning to untie the knots at the Russian's wrists.
"Hikaru, what are you...!" Chekov whispered urgently.
"What I have to, Pasha," Sulu returned, and Chekov felt him bracing. When the expected rush came, the lieutenant was able to neatly flip the Mergonian over his head. He ripped the bonds from the navigator's arms and turned to face his second adversary, holding the rope before him like a garrote. "Chekov, call the Enterprise."
The navigator scrambled past him, edging along the side of the craft out of reach of the circling former guard. His hands reached blindly for the communications relay.
"Enterprise, this is Galileo..." he began, then stopped watching in amazement as Sulu executed a perfect jump-kick to Vargik's groin, then vaulted over the Mergonian to wrap the rope around his throat and pull - hard. Klinot was rising from where's the lieutenant's judo throw had landed him, but he stopped moving as he saw Vargik's bulging eyes.
"One step closer and he's dead," Sulu growled. "Pavel, get us beamed the hell out of here."
"Thank god, Chekov, thank god!" Uhura's voice came from the comm. "Are you all right?"
"No, I'm not," the Russian said distractedly. "We have an emergency situation here, Lieutenant."
"We know, but the transporters are a slag heap. Mr. Spock has taken another shuttle to effect a rescue."
"How long?" Chekov asked tersely.
"He should be in docking range in less than a minute. "I'll patch you through."
There was a series of atonal blips and whistles, then Spock's voice said, "This is Spock aboard the Copernicus. Do you read me, Galileo?"
"Yes, sir, we do, " Sulu called. "I hope like hell you brought phasers."
"And a security team to man them, Mr. Sulu," was the calm answer. "Is Mr. Chekov...?"
"As expected, Commander," Sulu said, and his voice broke. His fists clenched, pulling the rope at Vargik's neck tighter.
"Hikaru, you have less than a minute to finish that," Chekov murmured.
"I want to, believe me," Sulu hissed back.
"Then do it."
Sulu's gaze flashed to the Russian. "You mean it?"
There was more ice in the brown eyes that the helmsman had ever seen. "Da, namervayus," he said, his tone as cold and hard as his eyes.
Sulu swallowed, hesitating. It wasn't that the Mergonian didn't deserve it. It wasn't that he had never killed before, though he'd never had to do so with his bare hands. It wasn't even that he was afraid of legal repercussions - Chekov's condition would clearly make it a case of justifiable homicide. But when the shock wore off, when Pavel was again safe, when both the terror and the rage were gone - which was it the Russian would forgive him for: committing murder or letting the man who'd raped him live?
It was the distraction of trying to figure that out that ultimately saved him from the decision. Klinot took the advantage and charged him, throwing Vargik into him and him back against the control panel. Chekov again hit the emergency alarm, the noise deafening in the confined space. Then came the shudder and 'thump' of the Copernicus locking on along side. All was a cacophony inside Sulu's skull, the grunts and growls of the Mergonians as they beat him, Chekov's shouts, the hiss of pressurization as the two shuttles' hatches sealed together, then Spock's voice giving calm orders and the whir of phasers. The last thing he heard was a string of Russian curses and what sounded like feet savagely kicking bared flesh.
=====*****=====
The Security team pulled the Mergonians off the unconscious lieutenant, Chekov still kicking at their flesh. The Russian was beyond reason and the First Officer got a blanket from the shuttle's emergency supplies, draping it around the navigator's shoulders when he fell heavily to his knees. Spock reached over Chekov's head, turning off the alert claxon and motioned for the members of the Security team who were not securing the prisoners to attend to Sulu. Chekov crawled the few feet to the helmsman's side, the blanket hanging across his back.
"We got them, Hikarushka," he murmured, his voice the tone of savage conviction. "We got them." Then he broke, bending his head to Sulu's chest. When the other officers attempted to move the lieutenant to administer first aid, the Russian's arms clutched at the inert body, the normally soft brown eyes muddy carbonite. "Nyet!" he growled, and Spock moved to his side, carefully removing his arms from the helmsman, murmuring calm words of comfort in Russian. That the navigator responded to, and he let Sulu be taken from him, then sat back on his haunches. He blinked, uncomprehending, his throat constricting as he swallowed convulsively. Spock gave quiet orders for the Mergonians to be taken back to the Enterprise in the Copernicus, that he himself would pilot the Galileo with Sulu and Chekov. He stayed by the Russian's side as the two shuttles were separated, then rose and went to the pilot's seat. Practiced fingers laid in the proper course as he kept most of his attention of the young officer. His sensitive hearing caught the intake of breath and he braced himself as the long, keening howl rose up in the Russian's chest.
He quickly set the automatic controls and returned to Chekov's side. The cry was one of loss and terror, of rage and hopelessness, the emotions so intense they pierced the Vulcan to his core. Then Chekov began weeping, wailing sobs wracking his battered body which seemed to somehow grow smaller under the blanket. Awkward at first, then with increasing confidence, Spock embraced the defeated young man, speaking all the words his mother had used when he was a boy, and which he had long ago assigned to the category of illogical emotion. He said things he could only hope were true, things like "It will be all right" and "I know, Pavel," and "I will take care of you." He said them in Russian, not knowing if the mind that was so clearly regressing would understand Terran Standard. He stayed there, on his knees, his arms cradling the navigator until Chekov was leaning against him, his cries quieted to whimpers. He only rose when it was time to pilot the small craft into the Hangar bay.
=====*****=====
Scott and the repair crews were hard at work on the transporters as the two shuttles eased into the huge bay of the Enterprise. When the doors were closed and the bay pressurized, Kirk and McCoy rushed to the Galileo, leaving Security to get the Mergonian prisoners to the brig. When the shuttle's hatch hissed open, McCoy signaled for his orderlies and their stretchers. Sulu was quickly loaded onto one as Jim knelt beside the huddled figure who was wrapped in a blanket.
"Ensign," he said softly. "Ensign Chekov, are you all right?"
Brown eyes blinked up at him.
"He is in shock, Captain," Spock's voice replied as he turned from the shuttle controls.
"Move over, Jim," McCoy ordered as he ran a scanner over the navigator. Then he motioned for the second stretcher. "Bruises, internal bleeding... no doubt about it, this man was brutally raped."
Chekov blinked at him, too, and he gave his best bedside-manner smile and patted the Russian's shoulder. The navigator winced, and McCoy sighed, then moved aside so that the young man could be placed on the stretcher. Chekov curled up on his side as he was carried out of the shuttle, and McCoy rose. "We'll get him patched up, Captain, then I'll see what he can tell me."
He followed the two medical teams and the stretchers, and Kirk glanced at Spock.
"How bad was it?" he asked quietly.
"The Mergonians were beating Mr. Sulu when I arrived, Captain. Mr. Chekov was naked. I could make out hand prints against the flesh at his hips."
Kirk scowled. "Bad enough, then. We'll interrogate the prisoners while Bones works his magic, then get statements from Chekov and Sulu."
He turned to head out of the craft, and was stopped by Spock's soft, "Jim." Eyebrows rising, he turned back. "I think it best that we not let Mr. Chekov know we are aware of his - relationship - with Mr. Sulu," Spock said. "He will have much trauma to deal with. I see no reason to add more embarrassment to it."
"Doesn't it worry, you, Spock, that he's so secretive about it - that revealing it would cause him embarrassment?" Kirk asked, just as softly.
"That is surely a thing for the two of them to deal with, is it not?"
"Not if it will complicate Mr. Chekov's recovery," Kirk responded. "I think Bones needs to know, at least. And if it will effect how Chekov deals with other relationships..."
"It is still his private affair, Jim," Spock interrupted. "Starfleet officers are allowed privacy in their personal relationships."
"Spock..." Jim squared his shoulders. "I can understand all that, but since the relationship had its beginnings in what we now know are less than ideal conditions, and since it has elements in it that might suggest an unhealthy reaction to that unfortunate genesis..."
"It is still..."
Kirk held up his hands. "Why don't we wait and have this discussion after Bones gets Chekov over this trauma. Then we can better assess how to deal with any problems that may have arisen from the former one."
"Sir, it is inadvisable to assume..."
"I said 'may have' Spock. If there aren't any, I'm prepared to accept that."
Kirk turned again and left the shuttle. Spock stood in silent contemplation, a small frown touching his features, then drew himself up and followed.
=====*****=====
"PASHA!!"
Sulu came bolt upright, the cry of his lover's name torn from his lips before he was fully conscious.
"It's all right, Sulu," came Christine Chapel's voice. "He's here, you're both safe."
Sulu immediately threw the covers of the medical bed aside, twisting to drop his legs over its side. He winced as broken ribs made themselves evident, and Chapel's hand was on his shoulder, pushing him gently back down.
"They haven't finished knitting yet," she told him. "Dr. McCoy would have my head if I let you get up now."
"I have to see him, Christine," the helmsman begged. "Please, I have to..."
"You're in no condition, and neither is he," McCoy said brusquely as he crossed Sickbay. He checked the panels over the bed. "No concussion, but you're bruised all over. Lucky it was only your ribs that got cracked instead of your skull."
"Where's Pavel, is he...?" Sulu began again.
"He's in a bad way," McCoy replied. "He's being prepped for surgery..."
"Surgery?" the lieutenant gasped, then closed his eyes. "Oh, god, oh god...."
"There's only some internal rectal tearing. He'll be fine." The doctor paused. "Physically."
"They raped him," Sulu hissed. "Doc, they both raped him."
"I know, son. The captain's already advised Babel that the entrance of the Mergonian Star Empire into the Federation be vetoed. One of Scotty's engineers saw the ambassador at the transporter relays before he was knocked unconscious. The bastard's complicit in the whole thing."
"I still don't understand why they did any of this," Chapel murmured..
"New races are always unpredictable," McCoy began.
"Revenge," Sulu muttered. "Sick kicks and revenge."
Chapel's brow furrowed in puzzlement, and McCoy shook his head in a 'not now' gesture. "Go see to the operating theater, Nurse. I'll be right there."
"Yes, Doctor," Chapel replied, and left the ward. McCoy turned back to Sulu.
"Security's gonna want a full statement, Lieutenant," he said. "But what I need to know right now is what exactly happened to Mr. Chekov." His emphasis made it clear that, yes, he wanted as much gruesome detail as the helmsman could provide.
Sulu took a deep breath. "When I got transported in, one of the bastards had him on his knees. His hands were tied behind his back, his head and shoulders pushed to the deck of the shuttle. He was being - penetrated. I - tried to knock the Mergonian off him, but the other one grabbed me. They made me watch..." He swallowed. "... while the son of a bitch finished. I managed to get loose and... I got Chekov untied and used the rope to - subdue Vargik. Then Pavel called the Enterprise and Uhura told us Spock was on his way. The other one jumped me and they were beating me senseless when Mr. Spock arrived." He bit his lips. "That's all I know."
McCoy was regarding him closely. "What aren't you telling me, Lieutenant?"
"That's all I saw, Doc."
"Sulu, something happened between Chekov's remarkably calm call to the ship and Spock's rescue that caused the Ensign to go into serious shock. What was it?"
"You're the doctor," Sulu offered defensively. "Maybe it was just the release when he knew it was over."
"Would the Mergonians attacking you have anything to do with it?"
The helmsman shrugged. "On top of everything else, I suppose it might have."
"You do know there are rope burns at Vargik's throat," McCoy commented.
"I told you. I used it to subdue him."
"There had to be a lot of force behind it to leave ligature marks, Lieutenant."
"So I used a lot of force," Sulu countered darkly. "The bastard had just raped my - "
"My what, Sulu?" the doctor cut in.
The helmsman's head came up defiantly. "Best friend. Colleague. Partner."
"Anything more than that, son?"
"Doctor, Mr. Chekov requires your attention," Spock's voice interrupted.
McCoy scowled at him, but nodded. "We'll finish this later, Sulu."
"No, we won't," the lieutenant muttered under his breath.
=====*****=====
Spock regarded the helmsman's bruised face and bandaged chest with deep sympathy. He met the dark eyes, and acknowledged with a nod the young man's murmured, "Thank you again, Mr. Spock."
"Since there is little I do not already know regarding your relationship with Ensign Chekov," the Vulcan said quietly, "is there anything that would help me understand his emotional state that you would not wish to share with the good doctor?"
He watched as Sulu's face flushed under the already discolored mottling. "Vargik again threatened me, sir," he managed. "Pavel said he'd do what he had to to protect me, and I - offered to take his place. Vargik had - he'd said in the camp that I wasn't - wasn't his type." The helmsman took a slow breath. "He said it again, and I taunted him and the other guard into attacking me. I got Pavel free and held - I held the rope at Vargik's throat until we heard from you. Then..." He fell silent.
"How did you come to lose your advantage, Mr. Sulu?" Spock asked softly.
The lieutenant swallowed. "I was going to - Chekov wanted me to... and I hesitated. The Mergonians took advantage of that, and..."
"You were going to what, Lieutenant?" came the even quieter interruption. "What did Ensign Chekov want you to do?"
The young man struggled a long time with the answer. When he finally spoke again, he couldn't look at the Vulcan. "He'd be so ashamed of the impulse, Mr. Spock. You're the last person he'd want to know."
"I will take it as confidential, Mr. Sulu," Spock assured.
"The only thing I'm ashamed of it that I hesitated," Sulu added, more fiercely.
"Hesitated...?" Spock prompted.
"In choking the life out of that fucking monster." The helmsman's words were hissed out from between his teeth.
Spock, too, paused to collect his thoughts. "It is an understandable desire, Lieutenant," he finally conceded. "For both of you. To wish vengeance on one who has so harmed you - or the person you love..."
"But I didn't do it!" Sulu cried. "I was worrying about whether or not he'd forgive me later on! I didn't take the one step I could to protect him, to guarantee that that son of a bitch could never hurt him again!" Bitter tears were trickling from Sulu's eyes, and he angrily brushed them away. "That's why he's in shock. The rape was bad enough, then the one person who's supposed to be there for him, who's supposed to keep him safe doesn't even avenge his honor..." His voice choked up and his fists clenched, his head turning away from the Vulcan's appraisal.
"And you think, Lieutenant, that seeing one he loves being beaten, not knowing if that person lives, would not throw him into such a state?" Spock stated as calmly as he could.
Sulu's gaze flew back to him. "He thought... he didn't know...?" he stammered.
"It seems a more likely explanation, Mr. Sulu," the Vulcan replied. "He collapsed over your body, he refused to allow first aid to be administered until I spoke to him in his native tongue." He paused again, stepping closer to the bed. "He howled his grief to the universe, Hikaru - literally howled. I believe he was past understanding that you lived."
The tears that had fallen from the helmsman's eyes renewed, his face contorting in grief of his own. "Pasha," he sobbed helplessly. "Oh, god, Pasha..."
For the second time that day, Spock put a comforting hand on the lieutenant's shoulder. "I will see that you are brought to him when he is out of surgery," the Vulcan promised. "Then we can better ascertain what it is that he needs."
"Spock... I don't know... how to thank..." Sulu began gratefully.
"There is no need, Mr. Sulu," Spock said. "Seeing you both able to finally put the hardships of your experiences with the Mergonians behind you will be all the gratitude I require."
=====*****=====
Consciousness came slowly, but the picture that was burned into his memory wouldn't leave him. Sulu was gone. The Mergonians had beaten him to death for daring to attack them. The images in the shuttle blurred with those from the detention camp, distorted and magnified by his own nightmares. They hadn't been rescued. Vargik had taken what he'd threatened, and Chekov's worst fears had come to pass. It hadn't saved Sulu from the Mergonian's malice, the helmsman's attempt to aid him in enduring the monster had only made Vargik more savage in his retribution. The months of their relationship became distilled down into that one night. They hadn't made love just the once. Sulu had tenderly, carefully, playfully, intensely prepared him for all Vargik might want, and had given him the knowledge of selfless devotion to carry him through the inevitable. And it had all been for nothing. He was forever Vargik's plaything now, forever to be tormented, shared with other guards, kept healthy only enough to provide decent sport. And he would sleep in the cold cell alone. There would be no arms waiting to hold him, to warm him. No loving smiles, no teasing sensuality and soaring, erotic pleasure. No murmured words of adoration and desire, no silky skin beneath his hands, no familiar, Human taste in his mouth, no soft breathing as he lay half awake in his lover's embrace....
Why must I still live! he cried to the god he had never believed in and his sobs choked him. The bile rose in his throat and he began vomiting, and was shocked when a soft hand came to his forehead, a small emesis tray held under his mouth.
"It's all right, Ensign," said a soft, warm - female - voice. "It's just a reaction from the anesthesia. You're going to be fine."
He spat out the last of the foulness, and rasped, "Where - where am I?"
"You're in Sickbay, Chekov. You came through the surgery just fine."
He recognized the voice, but still couldn't place it. "Surgery?" he managed.
"I'll let Dr. McCoy explain," Nurse Chapel said as her identity fell into place in his brain. Another hand joined hers, gently lifting his head back onto the sickbay pillow.
"How are you feeling, Pavel?" Uhura murmured softly.
"Nyota?"
"You gave us all quite a scare, Ensign," the communications officer said. "But you'll be happy to know the entire Mergonian delegation is the brig and there's a Federation courier on its way to take them to trial at Babel."
"Trial?" Chekov said, still unable to make the memories in his mind made sense.
"Kidnapping. Sabotage. Assault. Conspiracy. Rape. Attempted murder," Uhura listed coldly.
The Russian winced at the words, trying to keep breathing as renewed anguish lashed through him. Then he replayed them in his head. His eyes opened and he blinked at the two women standing over him. "At - attempted...?"
"You and Sulu will both have to testify, I'm afraid, but the verdict is really a forgone conclusion," Uhura returned.
"I and..." He gulped. "Sulu...?" The name was whispered hope.
"He was pretty banged up," Uhura said with a smile, "but..."
The navigator bolted out of the Sickbay bed, unmindful of the pain in his bowels or the weakness in his legs. He took several staggering steps, then fell to his knees. "Sulu," he rasped, "Nyota, where is...!"
"Right here, Pav."
The voice was the most welcome thing Chekov had ever heard. His head jerked up, though he was unable to see clearly for the tears filling his eyes. He made out Spock's tall figure, in uniform, and Sulu's shorter one in Sickbay coveralls. The Vulcan was clearly aiding the helmsman to walk, and the Russian reached out blindly. Then Sulu was within his grasp, real and solid and warm, and he used up the last of the strength to crush the lieutenant's bandaged body to him before spiraling again into unconsciousness.
=====*****=====
When he woke again, Sulu was sitting next to his bed. The helmsman smiled as he opened his eyes.
"Still right here, Pavel," he murmured. "Everything's going to be all right."
Chekov blinked groggily, then flushed. "I thought you were..." he began.
"It'd take more than those sons of bitches to take me from you," Sulu countered with another grin. Then he leaned closer. "Pasha, I'm sorry. I had to tell the Captain and Mr. Spock about our last night in the camp. I had to let them know what kind of danger you were in when Vargik kidnapped you."
The navigator's blush darkened, and he muttered unfamiliar Russian words under his breath.
"The ambassador knew about it," Sulu went on, "and it turns out they've both been - aware - of our relationship since..."
The Russian groaned, turning away.
"I'm sorry, Pavel," the lieutenant said again. "But maybe, with it out in the open, things will be easier."
"No," Chekov whispered, then paused. "But it would have come out in the trial anyway."
"I'm sorry," was repeated a third time, and the ensign felt Sulu's tentative hand on his arm. "The Captain's gonna insist on some psychological counseling for this. I want you to know that - well, that if you end up telling McCoy about our more - inventive interactions, that I'll be able to take whatever questions get thrown at me because of..."
"I won't," was the blunt response. "It is over. I have no need of any 'counseling."
Sulu was silent for a long moment. "I hope you don't mean we're over," he said very quietly.
Chekov turned back to him. The brown eyes were troubled and veiled. "No, Hikaru, I think my feelings for you have never been clearer," he admitted. "But - everything inside me is shut down. I don't wish to feel anything. I certainly don't wish to talk about any of it. What is done, is done. Talking about it won't do any good."
"I beg to differ, Ensign."
Both young men looked up at Commander Spock's soft voice. Chekov pulled himself upright in the medical bed, Sulu getting awkwardly to his feet. "Mr. Spock, I wanted to thank you for..." the navigator began.
"As you were, gentlemen," Spock interrupted. Sulu sank gratefully back into his seat, but Chekov remained as he was. "And there is no need of thanks, Mr. Chekov, but if you do feel the need to express some gratitude, you will accept counseling. This trauma cannot go unacknowledged or untreated."
The Russian swallowed. "Forgive me, sir, but I can't... I simply don't want to remember..."
"But you will remember it, Mr. Chekov," the Vulcan returned with stern sympathy, "and it will fester within you and poison your life - most particularly your relationship with Lieutenant Sulu." The navigator flushed deeply. "It is illogical to deny what you feel, Ensign," Spock continued. "I was with you when grief and madness took you. I saw the unutterable joy when you realized the Mergonians had not killed him. You can use the bond you feel with him to ease your suffering, or you can let it become a part of what causes you to suffer. I believe I know which course you would ultimately prefer."
"But he's stubborn, Mr. Spock," Sulu put in. "And he's sometimes stupidly self-reliant. If he's determined not to talk about any of this..."
"Which is why I have convinced Dr. McCoy to let me be his counselor," Spock said, his dark gaze fixed with wry challenge on the Russian. "Since I know of your relationship, it will save time, likewise since I know of the circumstances in the detention camp and the understandable if guilty desire you both felt to end Vargik's life."
Chekov shot Sulu a fierce 'you told him?!?' glare and the helmsman winced.
"Given your condition at the time, Ensign, it was only in the attempt to aid our understanding of your profound shock," Spock told him. "You will recall, Lieutenant Sulu was beaten unconscious. He had no way of knowing you believed him dead."
The Russian shuddered. "I recall," was all he said.
"Then you will agree to speak with me of this matter, and to allow me to give what help I can?" Spock persisted.
"I... I..." the navigator stammered.
"Will you do it for me, Pasha?" Sulu asked softly, and there was just a touch of crooning mastery in his voice.
Chekov flushed again. "That is not fair, Hikaru," he muttered.
The helmsman grinned. "But will it work?"
Chekov glanced at him, at the teasing entreaty in the dark eyes. Then he looked at the sincere understanding in Spock's. Vargik's cruel, taunting gaze rose in his thoughts, and he shuddered again, swallowing. "Da," he finally agreed hoarsely. "But I'm afraid, Mr. Spock, that it won't be an easy thing to accomplish."
"Quite all right, Mr. Chekov. I am used to your recalcitrance," the Vulcan commented wryly.
With the navigator's fourth flush, Sulu took his hand and kissed it, then pressed it to his cheek.
Maybe, the helmsman thought, just maybe this really is going to be all right.
~ THE END ~
Return to Valjiir Stories
Return to Valjiir Continum